Damping mechanism of camera tripod head

ABSTRACT

A damping mechanism of a camera tripod head includes a fixing seat, a spindle connected to the fixing seat, damping devices fitted on the spindle, and a rotary seat. Each damping device includes a damping disc, a stop block fitted on the spindle, and a drive device for pushing the stop block to slide along the spindle. The damping disc includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The stop block is movable to disengage from the inner ring of the damping disc by the drive device. The drive device includes a push lever, a seesaw plate hinged to the fixing seat, and a cam mounted on the fixing seat. One end of the push lever leans against the stop block. One end of the seesaw plate leans against another end of the push lever. Another end of the seesaw plate leans against the cam.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Chinese Application No.201720033500.4, filed on Jan. 11, 2017, the subject matter of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a camera tripod head, and moreparticularly to a damping mechanism of a camera tripod head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A tripod head is a support apparatus for supporting a camera. Ingeneral, the tripod head is mounted on a tripod. Through the tripodhead, it is possible to adjust the shooting angle and height. When inuse, the tripod head is secured on a tripod, and the camera or the likeis secured on the tripod head. Through the tripod head, the horizontaland pitching angle of the camera can be adjusted to achieve the bestworking condition, and then the adjustment mechanism of the tripod headis locked.

A conventional tripod head includes a main seat mounted on a tripod. Themain seat is provided with a side cover. The side cover is rotatableabout the main seat. A damping mechanism is provided between the mainseat and the side cover. A conventional damping mechanism comprises aplurality of damping discs, a damping shaft, and a drive device fordriving the damping shaft to slide. Each damping disc is formed with adamping hole. The damping shaft is inserted in the damping holes of thedamping discs in sequence under the action of the drive device. Thisdamping mechanism needs to pass through the damping holes in sequence.As a result, it is not easy to control the engagement, and it may have ajammed phenomenon to damage the parts. Sometimes, the outer ring cannotbe turned to affect the operation of the tripod head. Accordingly, theinventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his manyyears of practical experiences to solve these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the problems of the prior art, the primary object of thepresent invention is to provide a damping mechanism of a camera tripodhead, which can be shifted conveniently and accurately and won't bedamaged easily.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, a damping mechanism of acamera tripod head is provided. The damping mechanism comprises a fixingseat, a spindle fixedly connected to a middle portion of the fixingseat, a plurality of damping devices fitted on the spindle in order, anda rotary seat disposed coaxially with the fixing seat. The rotary seatis rotated about an axis of the spindle. Each damping device comprises adamping disc, a stop block fitted on the spindle, and a drive device forpushing the stop block to slide along the spindle. The damping discincludes an inner ring connected with the stop block and an outer ringfixedly connected with the rotary seat. The stop block is movable todisengage from the inner ring of the damping disc under the action ofthe drive device. The drive device includes a push lever for pushing thestop block to slide, a seesaw plate having a middle portion hinged tothe fixing seat, and a cam mounted on the fixing seat through a fixingshaft. One end of the push lever leans against the stop block. The camis turned about an axis of the fixing shaft. One end of the seesaw plateleans against another end of the push lever. Another end of the seesawplate leans against the cam.

Preferably, each damping device further includes a fixing block fixedlyconnected to the spindle. The stop block is disposed between the dampingdisc and the fixing block. A spring is provided between the stop blockand the fixing block. The stop block is movable to slide along thespindle under the action of the spring to engage with the inner ring ofthe damping disc.

Preferably, the damping disc includes at least two outer rings and atleast one inner ring. The inner ring is disposed between the two outerrings. The outer rings are fixedly connected to the rotary seat. Theinner ring is fixedly connected to a positioning ring by rivets.

Preferably, the stop block is evenly formed with a plurality of firstbevel teeth. The positioning ring of the damping disc is evenly formedwith a plurality of second bevel teeth to mesh with the first bevelteeth.

Preferably, the stop block is coaxially provided with a positioningcollar. The positioning ring is formed with a positioning hole to matewith the positioning collar.

Preferably, the end of the seesaw plate, leaning against the cam, ishingedly connected with a roller. An outer surface of the roller extendsbeyond the seesaw plate to lean against the cam.

Preferably, the stop block is provided with a slide shaft. The fixingblock is formed with a slide hole. The slide shaft is inserted in theslide hole.

Preferably, the fixing block is threadedly connected with a pin. The pinleans against an outer circumferential surface of the slide shaft.

Preferably, a locking device is provided between the rotary seat and thefixing seat. The locking device includes a locking disc fixedlyconnected to the rotary seat and a locking block connected to the fixingseat by an adjustment screw. The locking block is formed with a lockingtrough. The locking disc is inserted in the locking trough. The lockingtrough has a width greater than that of the locking disc.

Preferably, the seesaw plate of each drive device is hinged to thefixing seat through a mounting shaft. A partition is provided betweentwo adjacent seesaw plates.

Compared to the prior art, the damping mechanism of the presentinvention has the following benefits. Each damping device has acorresponding damping force. When it is necessary to adjust the dampingforce, only the corresponding cam is turned. Multiple cams can besimultaneously turned to achieve different damping forces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the damping mechanism of the cameratripod head of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damping mechanism of the cameratripod head, without the fixing seat, of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the damping device of the dampingmechanism of the camera tripod head of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a lateral sectional view of the damping mechanism of thecamera tripod head of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the circle A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of the damping mechanism of thecamera tripod head of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the damping disc of the damping mechanismof the camera tripod head of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Advantages and features of the inventive concept and methods ofaccomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of embodiments and the accompanyingdrawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention discloses a dampingmechanism of a camera tripod head. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of thedamping device of the damping mechanism. FIG. 4 is a lateral sectionalview of the damping mechanism. The damping mechanism of the presentinvention comprises a fixing seat 2, a spindle 1 fixedly connected to amiddle portion of the fixing seat 2, a plurality of damping devicesfitted on the spindle 1 in order, and a rotary seat 3 disposed coaxiallywith the fixing seat 2. The rotary seat 3 is rotated about an axis ofthe spindle 1. The fixing seat 2 is fixedly connected to the aforesaidmain seat. The rotary seat 3 is fixedly connected to the aforesaid sidecover. Each of the damping devices comprises a damping disc 4, a stopblock 5 fitted on the spindle 1, and a drive device for pushing the stopblock 5 to slide along the spindle 1. The damping disc 4 includes aninner ring 42 connected with the stop block 5 and an outer ring 41fixedly connected with the rotary seat 34. Under the action of the drivedevice, the stop block 5 is driven to disengage from the inner ring 42of the damping disc 4. The drive device includes a push lever 81 forpushing the stop block 5 to slide, a seesaw plate 82 having a middleportion hinged to the fixing seat 2, and a cam 84 mounted on the fixingseat 2 through a fixing shaft 83. One end of the push lever 81 leansagainst the stop block 5. The cam 84 is turned about an axis of thefixing shaft 83. One end of the seesaw plate 82 leans against anotherend of the push lever 81, and another end of the seesaw plate 82 leansagainst the cam 84.

The cam may be in a different shape, just with two radii of differentsizes. The difference between the two radii of different sizes issufficient to disengage the stop block from the inner ring, allowing theshift to be accurately adjusted.

Each damping device further includes a fixing block 6 fixedly connectedto the spindle 1. The stop block 5 is disposed between the damping disc4 and the fixing block 6. A spring 7 is provided between the stop block5 and the fixing block 6. The stop block 5 is movable to slide along thespindle 1 under the action of the spring 7 to engage with the inner ring42 of the damping disc 4 to facilitate the stop block to reset andrestore the damping force.

The fixing block 6 is fixedly connected to the spindle 1 by screws.

The spring 7 may be plural, and the springs are evenly arranged. Thefixing block 6 is formed with mounting holes for receiving the springs 7so as to avoid deformation of the springs and to ensure the normal useof the springs.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the damping disc 4 includes at least twoaforesaid outer rings 41 and at least one aforesaid inner ring 42. Theinner ring 42 and a first partition ring 43 are disposed between everyadjacent two of the outer rings 41. The inner diameter of the firstpartition ring 43 is greater than the outer diameter of the inner ring42. The thickness of the first partition ring 43 is greater than thethickness of the inner ring 42. In the case of a plurality of innerrings 42, a second partition ring 44 is provided between every adjacenttwo of the inner rings 42. The outer diameter of the second partitionring 44 is less than the inner diameter of the outer ring 41. Thethickness of the second partition ring 44 is greater than the thicknessof the outer ring 41. The outer ring 41, the inner ring 42, the firstpartition ring 43, and the second partition ring 44 are coaxiallydisposed. The damping force of each damping disc may be the same ordifferent. The damping force depends on the number of the inner ringsand the outer rings. The greater the number of the inner rings and theouter rings, the greater the damping force. The less the number of theinner rings and the outer rings, the less the damping force.

The first partition ring 43 and the outer ring 41 are fixedly connectedto the rotary seat 3. The second partition ring 44 and the inner ring 42are fixedly connected to a positioning ring 45 by rivets 48. Thepositioning ring 45 and the inner ring 42 are coaxially disposed.

The stop block 5 is evenly formed with a plurality of first bevel teeth51. The positioning ring 45 of the damping disc 4 is evenly formed witha plurality of second bevel teeth 46 to mesh with the first bevel teeth51, so that the stop block and the inner ring of the damping disc arekept relatively static to generate a damping force.

The stop block 5 is coaxially provided with a positioning collar 53. Thepositioning ring 45 is formed with a positioning hole 47. Thepositioning collar 53 is inserted into the positioning hole 47, therebyproviding a positioning function.

The end of the seesaw plate 82, leaning against the cam 84, is hingedlyconnected with a roller 85. The outer surface of the roller 85 extendsbeyond the seesaw plate 82 to lean against the cam 84. When the cam isturned, the roller is free to rotate so as to reduce rigid impact andfriction loss, thereby prolonging the service life and increasing handfeel when shifted and raised.

The roller 85 is made of copper to reduce the friction loss and furtherincrease hand feel when raised.

The stop block 5 is provided with a slide shaft 91. The fixing block 6is formed with a slide hole 92. The slide shaft 91 is inserted in theslide hole 92 so as to eliminate the gap generated during rotation andto ensure that the stop block is free to be engaged or disengaged.

The slide shaft and the slide hole may be more than one in number, andare evenly arranged.

The fixing block 6 is threadedly connected with a pin 93. The pin 93leans against the outer circumferential surface of the slide shaft 91and can be used to lock the stop block.

The spindle 1 is a non-circular spindle. The stop block 5 is formed witha non-circular hole 52 cooperating with the non-circular spindle toensure that the stop block won't be rotated relative to the spindle, sothat the inner rings and the outer rings of the damping disc arerelatively rotated to generate a damping force. The non-circular spindlemay be an elliptical spindle, a square spindle, or the like. Thenon-circular hole is matched with the non-circular spindle.

A press ring 10 is provided between every adjacent two of the dampingdiscs 4 to separate the damping discs from each other. The press ring isfixedly connected to the rotary seat, that is, it is also fixedlyconnected to the outer ring of the damping disc 4.

There are two rotary seats 3 respectively located at the front and rearof the plurality of damping discs. The rotary seats are supported on theaforesaid pitching rotary seat or the horizontal rotary seat by abearing 13.

A locking device is provided between the rotary seat 3 and the fixingseat 2. The locking device includes a locking disc 11 fixedly connectedto the rotary seat 3 and a locking block 12 connected to the fixing seat2 by an adjustment screw (not shown). The locking block 12 is formedwith a locking trough 121. The locking disc 11 is inserted in thelocking trough 121. The width of the locking trough 121 is greater thanthe width of the locking disc 11 to facilitate locking of the rotaryseat, so that the rotary seat won't rotate relative to the fixing seat.The swivel seat does not rotate relative to the mount. When locked, byrotating the adjustment screw, the locking block is driven to move alongthe axis of the locking disc until the end face of the locking trough isagainst the surface of the locking disc to achieve locking of thelocking device.

The surface of the locking block 12 is formed with a guide groove 122.The fixing seat is fixedly connected with a guide rod (not shown). Theguide rod is inserted in the guide groove to prevent the locking blockfrom rotating with the adjustment screw and to provide a guidingfunction for the locking block.

As shown in FIG. 6, the seesaw plate 82 of each drive device is hingedto the fixing seat 2 through a mounting shaft 14. A partition 15 isprovided between every adjacent two of the seesaw plates 82. Thepartition 15 is fitted on the mounting shaft. The partition is a copperplate to avoid close contact and interference of the seesaw plates toensure that the free adjustment of each drive device.

When the damping force is removed, the corresponding cam is turned tolift one end of the seesaw plate, and the other end of the seesaw platepushes the push lever so as to force the stop block to overcome theforce of the springs and to slide toward the fixing block until it iscompletely disengaged from the inner ring of the damping disc. Forincreasing the damping force, the corresponding cam is turned, and thestop block under the action of the springs is returned to engage withthe damping disc. The user may turn multiple cams simultaneously so thatthe damping force may have different combinations. The damping mechanismof the present invention can be shifted and adjusted conveniently andaccurately and won't be damaged easily.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail for purposes of illustration, various modificationsand enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not tobe limited except as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A damping mechanism of a camera tripod head,comprising a fixing seat, a spindle fixedly connected to a middleportion of the fixing seat, a plurality of damping devices fitted on thespindle in order, and a rotary seat disposed coaxially with the fixingseat, the rotary seat being rotated about an axis of the spindle; thedamping devices each comprising a damping disc, a stop block fitted onthe spindle, and a drive device for pushing the stop block to slidealong the spindle, the damping disc including an inner ring connectedwith the stop block and an outer ring fixedly connected with the rotaryseat, the stop block being movable to disengage from the inner ring ofthe damping disc under the action of the drive device; the drive deviceincluding a push lever for pushing the stop block to slide, a seesawplate having a middle portion hinged to the fixing seat, and a cammounted on the fixing seat through a fixing shaft, one end of the pushlever leaning against the stop block, the cam being turned about an axisof the fixing shaft, one end of the seesaw plate leaning against anotherend of the push lever, another end of the seesaw plate leaning againstthe cam.
 2. The damping mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein each ofthe damping devices further includes a fixing block fixedly connected tothe spindle, the stop block is disposed between the damping disc and thefixing block, a spring is provided between the stop block and the fixingblock, and the stop block is movable to slide along the spindle underthe action of the spring to engage with the inner ring of the dampingdisc.
 3. The damping mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedamping disc includes at least two said outer rings and at least onesaid inner ring, the inner ring is disposed between the two outer rings,the outer rings are fixedly connected to the rotary seat, and the innerring is fixedly connected to a positioning ring by rivets.
 4. Thedamping mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stop block isevenly formed with a plurality of first bevel teeth, and the positioningring of the damping disc is evenly formed with a plurality of secondbevel teeth to mesh with the first bevel teeth.
 5. The damping mechanismas claimed in claim 3, wherein the stop block is coaxially provided witha positioning collar, and the positioning ring is formed with apositioning hole to mate with the positioning collar.
 6. The dampingmechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the seesaw plate,leaning against the cam, is hingedly connected with a roller, and anouter surface of the roller extends beyond the seesaw plate to leanagainst the cam.
 7. The damping mechanism as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe stop block is provided with a slide shaft, the fixing block isformed with a slide hole, and the slide shaft is inserted in the slidehole.
 8. The damping mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixingblock is threadedly connected with a pin, and the pin leans against anouter circumferential surface of the slide shaft.
 9. The dampingmechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locking device is providedbetween the rotary seat and the fixing seat, the locking device includesa locking disc fixedly connected to the rotary seat and a locking blockconnected to the fixing seat by an adjustment screw, the locking blockis formed with a locking trough, the locking disc is inserted in thelocking trough, and the locking trough has a width greater than that ofthe locking disc.
 10. The damping mechanism as claimed in claim 1,wherein the seesaw plate of each of the drive devices is hinged to thefixing seat through a mounting shaft, and a partition is providedbetween every adjacent two of the seesaw plates of the damping devices.